There are doubts over several of these which leaves QUENTIN D'EX as the token selection to beat Painter Man and Magot De Grugy. Charlie Mann's gelding was suited by stepping beyond three miles last time, but under the likely conditions this will be enough of a stamina test. He's up 7lbs for that win but remains lightly-raced and should be capable of further success from this mark, particularly in light of the opposition faced here, many of whom have questions to answer. One such horse is Painter Man, but our feeling is he wants this sort of trip and on his best form he has claims. The Pipe inmate is just 5lbs higher than his sole success, albeit one that came over hurdles, so whilst he'll have to iron out some of the mistakes he's made over fences the likely slower pace here may help and he's reasonably treated and acts on the ground. Magot Du Grugy is more solid than most, but his handicap mark is accordingly accurate. That said he has at least dropped a pound since taking fourth last time in what was probably a better race, so he can be relied upon to run well although he may find this an insufficient test of stamina despite the ground. Cousin Nicky looks well treated on his best form but that came for another yard and he's all to prove at present, so of more interest is Wizard Of Edge who won well here two starts ago and may go close again despite the best efforts of the handicapper to ensure otherwise. Quazy De Joie would have claims on the form he showed at the tail end of 2009 but his two efforts this year have been poor and similar comments apply to Wasntme although he should be more suited by today's trip than when last seen. Thedreamstillalive is dangerously well treated on his 2008 form so merits a market check but age may have caught up with him, whilst Massini Sunset will need a career best to defy this mark. The claims of Quentin D'Ex stand out in this staying chase, so he's selected accordingly.
Cousin Nicky 11-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, led 6th to next, chased leaders until weakened 13th, tailed off when pulled up approaching 3 out, in a race won by Ballyfoy (11-12) at Lingfield 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Jan, 10 ran.
Quentin D'ex (FR) 6-1 (11-0) Held up in 4th, headway to go 2nd 7th until after 9th, remained handy, left 2nd 14th, switched right after 2 out, led last, stayed on well, pushed out towards finish (no time taken), won at Towcester 3m beg chase (4) hvy in Jan beating Gilsland (11-0) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Quazy de Joie (FR) 11-2 (11-8) Held up, struggling 4 out, behind when pulled up before next, in a race won by Notabotheronme (11-3) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan, 8 ran.
Magot de Grugy (FR) 7-1 (10-11) Raced wide, held up, mistake 11th, headway under pressure approaching 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, 4th of 9, 16l behind Too Forward (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Jan.
Painter Man (FR) 6-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 6, 8l behind Noble Bily (10-10) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp ch 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
Massini Sunset (IRE) 4-1 (9-13) Chased leaders, lost place 5th, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Bertie May (10-10) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec, 9 ran.
Holmwood Legend 50-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 7th, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 18, 38l behind Rebeccas Choice (11-1) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Wizard of Edge 4-1 (10-9) Towards rear, tailed off from 13th, left remote 4th 3 out, 4th of 8, well behind Midnight Haze (11-12) at Wincanton 3m 1f cnd hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy.
Thedreamstillalive (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, chasing leaders when mistake 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 30l behind Celian (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Jan.
Master Cobbler (IRE) 18-1 (10-0) Chased leader, not fluent 11th, lost 2nd approaching 3 out and weakened before next, 5th of 9, 17l behind Too Forward (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Jan.
Prince Massini (IRE) 40-1 (9-11) Always in rear, struggling approaching 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 12, well behind The Rainbow Hunter (11-1) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Jan.
Alcatras (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Prominent, ridden 15th, weakened after 4 out, 7th of 16, 39l behind Marked Man (11-4) at Hereford 3m 1f cond hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Jun.
Wasntme (IRE) 7-2 (11-9) Chased leaders, reminders after 7th, weakened quickly, pulled up before next, in a race won by Brushford (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Jan, 8 ran.
